It looked very good for a very long time for the Parkland softball team on Monday.

The Trojans led 7-0 after three-and-a-half innings and were just one out away from their 26th straight victory and a trip to Friday's PIAA Class 4A finals at Penn State.

But Lower Dauphin battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out, two-run double by Jamie Knaub and used a squeeze bunt by Shelby Alcorn with the bases loaded to win it in the bottom of the eighth, posting an 8-7 victory that ended Parkland's season in stunning fashion.

Parkland used four runs in the third and two more in the fourth to take a commanding 7-0 lead, but the Falcons wouldn't quit.

"They scrapped, hung in there and seized their opportunities," Trojans coach Barry Search said of the team from Hummelstown. "They played hard to the end, and our kids did, too. There were one or two things here and there that didn't go our way. You can see by the expression on their faces that this it is difficult for our kids. It's absolutely devastating. How else do you explain it?

"But this was a fantastic group of kids. They have been absolutely wonderful all year. I have nothing but the greatest respect for them. They have always worked hard and tried to better themselves. We just came up one run short."

Search said he didn't think his kids relaxed with the 7-0 lead.

"They did the same thing with the Archbishop Ryan team in the quarterfinals," Search said. "They just hung in there and hung in there and made things happen. We made some uncharacteristic mistakes. But you understand that they are kids. It's a quick game and they have to make decisions. They may have been too hyped up, I don't know. It is what it is."

Lower Dauphin coach Steve Alcorn said that getting three runs in the bottom of the fifth was key to his team's chances.

"At that point, it wasn't looking all that bad," Alcorn said. "I knew our girls were going to hit and I just tried to give them a little direction and a little bit of confidence. They had a 'never die attitude' and they came through."

Parkland, the Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 champs, had two hits apiece from Jordy Augustus, Madi Marshall and Sam Pickar, who also made several nice plays at second base.

Marshall and Pickar each drove in two runs.

"Lower Dauphin deserved to win that game because they never gave up," the South Carolina-bound Augustus said. "They played a full game and battled. I think we got some runs early and a little too complacent and too comfortable. It was a team thing. We win as a team and we lose as a team.

"I still wouldn't trade this season for anything. As much as I wanted to go to Penn State on Friday, I wouldn't trade this season or our team for anybody. Win or lose, it was going to come to an end on Friday anyway. This was still a special season."

Current Comments

Does anybody feel sorry for a Parkland? I doubt it. They went through a weak league and lost to a decent team. And besides, summer ball is where it is these days. Nobody cares about high school softball.

Posted By: the observer | Jun 9, 2014 10:59:12 PM

The Parkland softball team and their parent's should be extremely proud of all that was accomplished this season! Ending the season with one loss says alot about how good this team was!!!

Posted By: Fran | Jun 10, 2014 9:06:33 AM

Yes the team was good but they really weren't that good. They played in a very weak league....let's be honest. All of the coaches except BW have massive egos and get these girls so nervous that they were unable to deal with adversity when they played a good team and things started to unravel. It is life or death for some of the coaches but the girls will go on. It was a good season but nobody ever remembers the runners up.

Posted By: the observer | Jun 10, 2014 9:25:30 AM

Hey observer why all the hate spewing towards high school kids. I am sure we can point that crooked finger at your life and find out that you have made mistakes and came up short. They played the teams they were given to play and beat them. The teams that made PIAA playoffs are also good teams someone has to come out on top doesn't diminish what they accomplished

Posted By: the realist | Jun 10, 2014 10:05:11 AM

Weak league? Becahi is playing for the state title, from the LVC. Parkland played in the eastern final, from the LVC. You make yourself seem petty and stupid by posting what you posted.

I am not a Parkland fan by any means, but what happened to them can happen to any team. It is a very tough loss for anyone involved with Parkland softball, that's for sure, but it certainly doesn't diminish what they accomplished this season. You've tried to diminish it with your comments, observer, but you just sound silly.

Posted By: Cigar Smoker | Jun 10, 2014 12:53:40 PM

Let's be honest, this team was loaded with talent and they should gave won the state championship hands down. They were not really tested in the league they play in because I agree it is not that strong. The first time this team has faced adversity and they crumbled under the pressure. Let's also be honest, summer softball is where it's at. Most kids on most high school teams who play summer ball can't wait for the school season to be over.

Posted By: being objective | Jun 10, 2014 2:24:21 PM

Just being ornery for ornery's sake I guess. Ridiculous comments to cover a lack of respect for kids and for yourself. Nobody and I mean nobody could give two hoots about summer softball around here and you know it

Posted By: the realist | Jun 10, 2014 9:07:10 PM

It's sad, but true that many kids -- and especially their parents -- care more about summer ball than high school ball. After all, the parents have more control in the summer, so it's only natural to them that it matters more. And there are more college recruiting opportunities in the summer. That's very true. But I can tell you that winning a state championship for your high school is something remembered by the kids, the coaches, the school and the community forever. I know it meant the world to Parkland in 1975, to Allen in 1990, to Northampton in 1996, Emmaus in 2000 and Northern Lehigh in 1988 and 1996, Northwestern in 1985 and on and on. Long after they hang them up, they still think fondly about being a high school state champion. That's why the 1951 Allentown High School boys basketball team (guys now in their 80s) still have reunions and relive their special night. When they die, I bet it'll say "state champion" in their obits. Whitehall High School has a huge banner saying "1982 state boys basketball champs" hanging outside their building. That shows how much it meant. Meanwhile, when one of these super-duper all-star summer teams -- whether they're called the Flames, the Outlaws, the Rebels whatever -- wins the Mid-Atlantic Class ABCD South Division regional or some other fancy title, it means something only to those kids and their relatives. The rest of the community, and frankly, the media, could careless. The above commenter is absolutely correct about that.

Posted By: Keith Groller | Jun 10, 2014 11:26:52 PM

It is very sad to see how softball has evolved. Having had played high school, tournament, and college ball I can not wrap my head around the fact that people devalue high school ball. I do not care how you perceive the competition that Parkland played they had an undefeated season up until the Lower Dauphin game. Nothing anyone says will take that memory away from any one of the girls on that team. And summer tournaments are fantastic. You may get opportunitites to play and get seen and who knows get a scholarship. But please tell me what happened to playing as a team and winning as a team? There are too many players in it for themselves. How about the good of the team. I am not blind to the end game but at what expense? These girls are going to look back and be extremely proud of what they have accomplished and they will do so if they get a scholarship or even play in college. There is no doubt that tournament softball gets you visability. I will not argue that. But let's also look at how tournament ball has eveloved over the last 10-15 years. There are more organizations than you can count. If you don't make a team you don't work to get better someone starts a new team. The competition is watered down and because of the number of organizations we can't generate a stellar team throughout the Lehigh Valley. Organizations offer a bill of goods they can't deliver and fight for status at the expense of the young ladies. There are a few good ones out there I am not totally defeated! It's time to go back to four or five solid organizations, cutting girls so they in turn work for their spots and start pushing be the very best player you can for your team not the individual. There was a reason for Little League and Lehigh Valley Leagues. I am also sorry that people have to hide behind a screen and belittle coaches and devalue a team because clearly things didn't go your way at one point. Congrats Parkland to a job well done and continued success. And good luck the other teams in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. And remember it's the memories that you take with you after softball!

Posted By: Former softball player | Jun 17, 2014 9:47:48 PM

Wow former softball player, wish you had been "former grammar student." Anyway, it's all about the scholarship. This is why these families travel all over - for the exposure. Still, to be a state champ is special.

Posted By: Observer | Jun 17, 2014 9:59:19 PM

Very sorry for not using spell check. Glad that's what you took from my comment. I am fully aware of why families travel all over and the exposure they receive. I am saying the game has changed and its very sad to see that the TEAM concept is lacking due to the "I" mentality some teams, coaches and parents are pushing to get money. But not arguing because you clearly are more versed on this than I am.

Posted By: Former softball player | Jun 18, 2014 11:30:54 AM

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